Supplementation of protein-free diet with whey protein hydrolysates prevents skeletal muscle mass loss in rats

AbstractMuscle mass loss is induced by aging, several catabolic diseases, and malnutrition. It is well known that ingestion of whey protein and its hydrolysates (WPH) is effective in stimulating muscle protein synthesis. However, these studies focused on the acute up-regulation of muscle protein synthesis, and few studies have investigated the effect of whey protein and WPH on muscle mass during chronic malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 7 days supplementation of whey protein and WPH on muscle reduction in Wistar rats fed a protein-free (PF) diet. Wistar rats were fed either a standard diet (containing 20% protein) or a PF diet during the experimental period. Those fed a PF diet received a dietary supplement containing an amino acid mixture, whey protein, or WPH for 7 days. The weight of the extensor digitorum longus decreased in rats fed a PF diet supplemented with the amino acid mixture or the whey protein. However, this decrease was partially but significantly suppressed in the group fed the WPH supplement. Additionally, administration of WPH induced a postprandial increase in plasma essential amino acids, branched-chain amino acids, and leucine concentration compared with animals fed the amino acid mixture or the whey protein. These results suggest that 7 days supplementation of the diet with WPH suppressed muscle weight loss in rats fed a PF diet

Safety evaluation of high-dose intake of casein-derived peptide Met-Lys-Pro in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Met-Lys-Pro (MKP) is a casein-derived angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide with the potential to cross the blood–brain barrier. It has shown preventive effects against high blood pressure (BP) and cognitive decline in animal models and human studies. MKP shows good water solubility and can be blended into a variety of foods. However, its ease of intake may contribute to the possibility of overdose. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the safety of high-dose intake of MKP in healthy adults by conducting a randomized controlled trial with 30 subjects. Participants were randomly allocated to the MKP (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) group. Over 4 weeks, the MKP group received test powder containing a daily dose of 1,000 μg of MKP, five times the minimum effective dose for cognitive improvement, whereas the placebo group received dextrin powder containing no detectable MKP. No clinical problems were observed in anthropometric and BP measurements or in blood and urine parameters. No adverse events owing to MKP intake were observed. These findings suggest that consumption of MKP is safe, and that it may be applicable as a safe preventive measure against hypertension and cognitive decline in future

Ultrastructural analysis of HNK-1 + cells in human peripheral blood and lymph nodes

HNK-1 positive (HNK-1+) cells in human peripheral blood and lymph nodes were comparatively analysed by means of immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. In peripheral blood, the HNK-1' cells were grouped into large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), small lymphocytes and intermediate forms, al1 of which had many fine cytoplasmic processes. Except for smoothsurfaced lymphocytes, they could not be distinguished from helperlinducer T (OKT41Leu3a) cells and suppresssor/cytotoxic T (OKT81Leu2a) cells. In double staining, HNKlfT3- cells and HNK-1+T3+ cells could not be clearly distinguished in terms of morphology, although the former contained many LGLs. The HNK-1+ cells in the lymph nodes accumulated in the light zones of the germinal centers (GCs). These cells were small to medium-sized lymphocytes with few electron-dense granules and exclusively co-expressed helperlinducer T cell antigens (HNK-1+T4+). Their cytoplasmic projections were interwoven with those of the follicular dendritic cells which trap immune complexes for a long duration. These configurations suggesl that HNK-1+T4+ cells in GCs are engaged in an immunological regulation of germinal center cells. On the other hand. large blastic HNK-1+ cells were scattered outside the GCs and some of them were in the process of mitosis. Furthermore, HNKl+ LGL-like cells with a few large electron-dense granules were rarely seen. These observations indicate that the HNK-1+ cells in the lymph nodes may proliferate outside GCs and differentiate into LGLs with a strong natural killer function

Electron microscopic study on amyloid fibril formation in human lymph nodes

The purpose of this investigation was to clarify the mechanisms of amyloid fibril formation in human lymph nodes. In our present study, amyloid deposition was observed diffusely in all compartments of the lymph nodes. The deposition form showed extremely characteristic findings in its morphological features. Namely, amyloid deposits mainly consisted of clusters of round or oval nodules. Each amyloid nodule was frequently enclosed with long-stretched cytoplasmic processes of abutting reticulum cells and/or macrophages. Amyloid fibrils often formed parallel amyloid bundles radiating to outlying sections of the nodule from the center. The amyloid bundles closely adhered to the cytoplasmic membrane of not only the abutting reticulum cells, macrophages and sinus endothelium but also to the lymphocytes and plasma cells. In the central portion of the amyloid nodules, a concentric core was also observed. The most interesting finding was the intracellular formation of amyloid fibrils in all cells, such as macrophages, reticulum cells, foreign body giant cells and lymphocytes in the process of degeneration. Some fibrils localized in the limited area of the cytoplasm and others appeared in all parts of the cells, including the nucleus. Their cell membranes were missing in several areas and the cell organella had gradually dissolved. Finally the cell residuums were completely replaced by amyloid fibrils and transformed into a nodular structure with radiating bundles of amyloid fibrils

Histopathological study of corpora amylacea pulmonum

In this paper, we present a rare disorder which is known as corpora amylacea pulmonum. X-ray CT scanning showed an abnormal focus of the lung as a solitary mass with high density and spicular features around the surface. The resected l u n ~ti ssue was - - U characterized by the appearance of round, concentrically laminated acellular bodies about 40-80 microns in diameter. The bodies were usually found lying free in the alveolar space and surrounded by the exudate alveolar macrophages or multinuclear giant cells. Some of these macrophages were in a state of progressive degeneration. The bodies showed an affinity for Congo red and exhibited partial birefringence. Moreover, al1 the bodies had a strong positivity for the PAS reaction and anti lysozyme antibodies. The exudate alveolar macrophages and multinuclear giant cells also displayed reactivity for PAS and lysozyme in a similar manner to that of the bodies. Electron microscopically the bodies were fundamentally composed of fibrillar elements, which bore some resemblance to amyloid fibrils and probably accounted for the partial affinity of the bodies for Congo red. These amyloid-like fibrils were also found in the cytoplasm of the macrophages. This suggested that the concentrically laminated bodies in corpora amylacea pulmonum might be formed by sequential aggregation, fusion, coalescence and compaction of degenerated alveolar macrophages

Anatomical and anastomotic viability indexes for stratifying the risk of anastomotic leakage in esophagectomy with retrosternal reconstruction

Abstract Background Risk prediction of anastomotic leakage using anatomical and vascular factors has not been well established. This study aimed to assess the anatomical and vascular factors affecting the hemodynamics of the gastric conduit and develop a novel risk stratification system in patients undergoing esophagectomy with retrosternal reconstruction. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed 202 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with gastric tube retrosternal reconstruction between January 2008 and December 2020. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL), including the anatomical index (AI) and anastomotic viability index (AVI), were evaluated using a logistic regression model. Results According to the logistic regression model, the independent risk factors for AL were preoperative body mass index ≥23.6 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR], 7.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44–26.00; P < 0.01), AI <1.4 (OR, 23.90; 95% CI, 5.02–114.00; P < 0.01), and AVI <0.62 (OR, 8.02; 95% CI, 2.57–25.00; P < 0.01). The patients were stratified into four AL risk groups using AI and AVI as follows: low‐risk group (AI ≥1.4, AVI ≥0.62 [2/99, 2.0%]), intermediate low‐risk group (AI ≥1.4, AVI <0.62 [2/29, 6.9%]), intermediate high‐risk group (AI <1.4, AVI ≥0.62 [8/53, 15.1%]), and high‐risk group (AI <1.4, AVI <0.62 [11/21, 52.4%]). Conclusion The combination of AI and AVI strongly predicted AL. Additionally, the use of AI and AVI enabled the stratification of the risk of AL in patients who underwent esophagectomy with retrosternal reconstruction

The CALET, CALorimetric Electron Telescope, Mission for the International Space Station

The CALorimetric Electron Telescope, CALET, mission is proposed for the Japanese Experiment Module Exposure Facility of the International Space Station. Major goals of the mission are precise measurements of the electrons in a few GeV - 10 TeV and the gamma-rays in 100 MeV - several TeV, keeping an energy resolution of a few % over 100 GeV. From the measurements, a systematic investigation of high-energy electromagnetic process in universe will be performed. A detector of SUSY particle which is a candidate of the dark matter would also be expected. The detector is composed of an imaging calorimeter of scinillating fibers and a total absorption calorimeter. Total thickness of absorber is 45 r.l for electron-magnetic particles and 2.1 m.f.p for protons. Total weight of the payload is nearly 2,200 kg, and the effective geometrical factor should be ~ 1.0 m2 sr. The hadron rejection power can be 10**6 for electrons